Getting the most out of Tempi.
- If the reported tempo is much higher or lower than you expect, tap the 1x button in the top right corner. It will cycle between 1x, 2x, and ½x. At 1x, the reported tempos are between 70 and 140. So at 2x they’re between 140 and 280, and at ½x they’re between 37 and 70.
- Tempi works best when there’s a distinct “pulse” to the music. Clear, steady rhythms like those from a drumbeat, strumming guitar, or consistent piano chords help Tempi detect the tempo accurately. If the music is very fluid or lacks a strong beat, results may be less reliable.
- Tempi makes an effort to remain consistent with the tempos it reports. If there are multiple candidate BPMs at any given time, it will prefer the one that more closely matches previously reported BPMs. For this reason, if possible, it can be helpful to start your performance with a “count-off” (e.g. drumsticks, muted guitar strums, claps, or even a clearly defined beat) before continuing.
- If background noise or other instruments are interfering with tempo detection, positioning your device closer to the primary rhythm source can improve accuracy. For the most accurate readings, place your device on a stable surface where it can clearly pick up the beat. Avoid holding it too close to low-frequency sources (like a bass amp) if the beat is coming from another instrument.
- Tempi works well for a variety of musical styles, but some genres with complex polyrhythms or rubato (like jazz, classical, or freeform improvisation) may give varying results. Experimenting with the 1x/2x/½x setting can help.